Speaker
Description
NUSES is a new space mission aimed at exploring cosmic radiation, astrophysical neutrinos, and Sun--Earth environment phenomena from a sun-synchronous low Earth orbit at 550 km altitude. The satellite hosts two payloads, Zir\'e and Terzina. Zir\'e will measure electrons, protons, and light nuclei from several MeV up to hundreds of MeV, and will test novel techniques for gamma-ray detection in the 0.1--50 MeV range.
Terzina is a compact optical telescope designed to enable the observation of the faint Cherenkov emission produced by Extensive Air Showers (EAS) initiated by ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) at energies above approximately $10^{17}$ eV. It will observe these events above the Earth’s limb and will also explore the detection of upward-going air showers induced by astrophysical tau neutrinos emerging from the Earth.
In this contribution, we present the current status of the Terzina payload, with emphasis on the performance of its SiPM-based focal plane and readout system in the context of space-based detection of extensive air showers. We describe the calibration and trigger strategy, which are optimized to operate under varying Night Sky Background conditions along the orbit. The SiPM response is also addressed in terms of its stability and suitability for space operation, including radiation-related effects.
These results inform the definition of the in-flight trigger strategy and support the overall readiness of the detector for the observation of EAS from space.